DNA Biotechnology Team Project
Bioethics in Genetics
Science asks "Can we?"
Law asks "May we?"
Morality asks "Should we?"
Objectives



Examine in detail a DNA bioethics
issue
Explore opinions of those in the
community
Lead a class discussion
Phase I: Brainstorm
As a group, brainstorm potential topics to examine. Here is a partial list to give you an idea,
but there are other bioethical issues not listed here. Also, many of the issues will overlap in
some areas.




Reproductive Technologies: In vitro fertilization, Surrogacy, RU-486, pre-implantation
embryo screening, cloning. Is there a significant difference between cloning sheep for
pharmaceutical production and cloning humans?
Human Genome Project: Should employers be able to screen job applicants for
specific genetic conditions? Who should have access to this information: family
members, lawyers, insurance agencies?
Gene therapy: What are the potential ramifications of somatic and germ-line gene
therapy? Should genes be tinkered with and if so what limits should be placed on this
type of technology.
Genetically Modified Crops: What rights do consumers have? What rights do farmers
have to grow GM crops? Who decides whether food is safe?

You may use any topic dealing with the genetic biotechnologies below,
but each group needs to explore a different biotechnology:

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


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Recombinant DNA Technology(genetic engineering)
Gene Sequencing (Human Genome Project)
Cloning
Stem Cell Research
Gene Therapy
DNA Fingerprinting (and other Forensics applications)
Genetically Modified organisms-GMO’s
Selective Breeding
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DNA Biotechnology Team Project

Phase II: Research
Now that you have your topic, it’s time to gather information about the issues. Four
positions are listed to help you delegate research responsibilities, if your group is smaller
than four, you'll need to double up some or all of the jobs.
Sociologist
Your job is to explore the issue from a societal perspective.
What do most people feel. What are the different sides of the
issue? Keep in mind, this is not a persuasive topic, your job is
to examine all opinions and attitudes
What are the current laws surrounding the issue? Do
different states have different laws?
Lawyer
Scientist
Describe and define the topic from a scientific perspective.
This section is to inform others of the scientific processes and
principles. Example, if your group is exploring cloning: you'll
need to explain how cloning works.
Develop a list of questions to be used for class discussion.
Plan to respond and engage class with controversy and
thought.
Educator
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DNA Biotechnology Team Project
Resources
http://bioethics.gov/ ( Presidents Council on Bioethics )
http://www.nih.gov/sigs/bioethics/ ( Bioethics Resources on the
Web )
http://www.med.upenn.edu/bioethic/ ( Center for Bioethics
http://bioethics.net/hsbioethics/
http://www.cbhd.org/ ( Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity )
http://www.bioethics.net/ ( American Journal of Bioethics )
*You will need to hand in a resource list so keep a record of all
resources APA style linked to your wiki page
For your
topic, you
may want to
use a search
engine and
search for
specifics to
the topic. The
links listed on
the left are
general links
on bioethics.
Phase III: Discussion Questions
With your topic in mind, develop a list of questions to be used on a survey. These questions
will not only be used to survey the class but to prompt discussion within the class.
Example of survey questions:
Do you feel that employers can deny employment based on genetic testing results?
Do you think that parents have the right to pick their children’s genes?
Phase IV: Presentation and Class Discussion
Your presentation to the class should be informative, covering all the information you gained
during the research phase. Use your group roles to help you delegate duties, with each
person doing one section of the presentation. You may use PowerPoint, photo story, or other
technology visual aids.
During this part of the presentation, you will pose questions to the class; ask for opinions and
insights from your classmates. Your presentation and discussion should be approximately 20
minutes (half a period).
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DNA Biotechnology Team Project
Team Assessment Peer Evaluation
Evaluator’s Name__________________________________________________
Period ____ Date________
Names of Presenters
1.
2.
3.
4.
Group Topic -
Points
Accurately explores the science issues related to topic. Explains the procedures or
capabilities within a scientific context
12345
Accurately explores the current legal guidelines regarding the topic, explores
possible future laws
12345
Examines all sides of the issues and explores the social ramifications
12345
Survey examines community thoughts and feelings in a meaningful way
12345
Presentation is sequenced and easy to follow, group members seem
knowledgeable.
12345
Discussion questions meaningful, class is engaged, group encourages class to
examine the issue in depth by asking leading questions
12345
Notes
Total
Individual Team Members’ Grade-to be completed by presenters only
Name of Member
Team member shared in responsibilities &
participated in all discussions
Points
12345
12345
12345
My self-evaluation
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